MEDIA PERSONNEL TASTE MILITARY LIFE THROUGH ‘24 HOURS AS A SOLDIER'

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- In conjunction with this year’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) Media Day (HBM), 56 media personnel from 21 local agencies had the chance to experience the challenges faced by military personnel in defending the nation’s safety and sovereignty.

With the theme “24 hours as a soldier,” the programme took place on Monday and Tuesday (Oct 28-29) at Jugra Air Base (PU) in Banting, organised by the MINDEF Strategic Communications Unit in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) under the supervision of RMAF Special Force.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the programme was part of the ministry's efforts to strengthen relations with the media while promoting and disseminating the country’s defence agenda.

“When we organise this programme, we do so in a planned manner—not because we want to test whether media personnel are up to the challenge.

“More importantly, we aim to provide an overview of the readiness and capability of the national defence forces,” he said at the HBM 2024 Closing Ceremony at the Jugra Shooting Range in Batu Hampar here yesterday.

Representing Bernama in the programme were crime and security desk journalist Abdul Rahman Fahmi Abdul Aziz, Bernama TV journalist Muhammad Hafizuddin Mohd Yusof, photographer Ahmad Iskandar Kamaruzaman, Senior Sales Executive Nurulasyiha Husin, and Bernama Radio journalist Siti Hashmarr Mohd Hashim.

All media personnel were divided into five groups, where over the course of the 24-hour programme, they were tested through seven challenges including rifle and pistol shooting, climbing, survival skills, cooking using Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) field rations, obstacle course training, and abseiling.

Participants also witnessed several PASKAU demonstrations, including a simulated hostage rescue on a bus, High Angle Rescue, Maritime Rescue, night shooting using Night Vision Goggles, as well as an exhibition of special force weapons and operational equipment.

In other developments, Khaled also highlighted that the country continued to focus on the defence sector and hoped the public would understand the significant budget allocated to MINDEF and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) under Budget 2025.

“There is a cost to peace. Let’s not question the need for substantial defence allocations simply because the country is peaceful and without war.

“The allocation is essential to maintain our highest level of readiness, ensuring our personnel are always prepared to defend and protect our homeland,” he said.

Also present at the event were the MINDEF secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, and Air Force chief Gen Tan Sri Asghar Khan Goriman Khan.

-- BERNAMA